title: Compounds from silicones alter enzyme activity in curing barnacle glue and model enzymes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Attachment strength of fouling organisms on silicone coatings is low. We hypothesized that low attachment strength on silicones is, in part, due to the interaction of surface available components with natural glues. Components could alter curing of glues through bulk changes or specifically through altered enzyme activity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  GC-MS analysis of silicone coatings showed surface-available siloxanes when the coatings were gently rubbed with a cotton swab for 15 seconds or given a 30 second rinse with methanol. Mixtures of compounds were found on 2 commercial and 8 model silicone coatings. The hypothesis that silicone components alter glue curing enzymes was tested with curing barnacle glue and with commercial enzymes. In our model, barnacle glue curing involves trypsin-like serine protease(s), which activate enzymes and structural proteins, and a transglutaminase which cross-links glue proteins. Transglutaminase activity was significantly altered upon exposure of curing glue from individual barnacles to silicone eluates. Activity of purified trypsin and, to a greater extent, transglutaminase was significantly altered by relevant concentrations of silicone polymer constituents.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Surface-associated silicone compounds can disrupt glue curing and alter enzyme properties. Altered curing of natural glues has potential in fouling management.
authors.affiliation: MSC Division, Duke University Marine Laboratory, Nicholas School of the Environment, Beaufort, North Carolina, United States of America. ritt@duke.edu
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rittschof
authors.forename: Beatriz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Orihuela
authors.forename: Tilmann
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Harder
authors.forename: Shane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Stafslien
authors.forename: Bret
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Chisholm
authors.forename: Gary H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Dickinson
mesh_terms: D000268:Adhesiveness / Q000187:drug effects; D000269:Adhesives / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D002484:Cementation; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D057075:Enzyme Assays; D004798:Enzymes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D055595:Mechanical Phenomena; D000432:Methanol / Q000494:pharmacology; D008954:Models, Biological; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D017655:Silicon Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D013499:Surface Properties / Q000187:drug effects; D001468:Thoracica / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000269:Adhesives; D004798:Enzymes; D017655:Silicon Compounds; D000432:Methanol